NICKNAME/S: The Elevator

BIO: Clarence Tyson was born in Topeka, Kansas (USA).

NBL EXPERIENCE

Clarence Tyson made his NBL debut with the Townsville Suns at 25 years of age. He scored 38 points in his first game.

Townsville coach Mark Bragg chose to overhaul the Suns’ roster for the 1995 NBL season, opting not to re-sign veteran Graham Kubank and import duo Darryl Johnson and fan-favorite Ricky Jones. In their place, the team brought in Derek Rucker (via Newcastle), dominant big man Clarence Tyson (via the USA), and Shane Froling (via Brisbane) to strengthen their core.

Returning from the previous season were Cameron Dickinson, David Blades, Lucas Agrums, and Brendan LeGassick, providing continuity as Townsville looked to push for a playoff spot.

Rucker (30.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 8.3 assists) and Tyson (24.6 points, 14.7 rebounds, and 3.5 assists) led the team offensively, while Cameron Dickinson (20 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists, 1.3 steals) emerged as the team’s top local talent. Despite showing promise, Townsville struggled with a lack of firepower, as no other player on the team averaged more than seven points per game. The Suns finished in 11th place (9-17), missing the postseason for the third consecutive season.

Tyson was selected to participate in the dunk competition during All-Star Weekend in Adelaide.

Some oldschool NBL Dunk Comp highlights #straightfromthetapes pic.twitter.com/8GqXQ3x4wm

— RANDOM HOOPS (@HoopsRandom) May 23, 2024

1996
The Suns entered the 1996 season with coach Mark Bragg aiming for improvement but ultimately finished with an identical 9-17 record, once again falling outside the playoff picture.

Team captain Derek Rucker (26.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 8.2 assists, and 2.6 steals) and Clarence Tyson (22.8 points, 14.1 rebounds, and 2.5 assists, 1.3 steals) continued to lead the team in most statistical categories, while Cameron Dickinson (20.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists, 1.4 steals) emerged as the team’s best local talent. However, the team lacked the depth to compete with the league’s top squads.

At the end of the season, Tyson was voted the club’s MVP.

1997
The 1997 NBL season brought the Townsville Suns agonizingly close to their first-ever playoff berth. After six seasons without a postseason appearance, the Suns finally appeared ready to break through. With just one victory needed from their final six games to secure a historic playoff spot, disaster struck as standout centre Clarence Tyson (22.0 points, 13.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.0 steals) went down with a season-ending knee injury during a game in Canberra. Without their star big man, the Suns’ promising season unraveled as they closed out the year on a crushing six-game losing streak.

Prior to Tyson’s injury, Townsville had shown significant improvement and playoff-level talent, driven primarily by electrifying guard Derek Rucker, who led the team in scoring and playmaking (25.9 points, 7.6 assists, and 2.6 steals per game). Simon Kerle provided strong support from the backcourt, averaging 16.7 points and 4.1 assists. To address Tyson’s absence, import forward Chris Sneed (15.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.0 steals) was signed for the final six games, but despite his solid contributions, the loss of Tyson proved too significant to overcome.

The Suns enjoyed key contributions from Jason Cameron (12.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists), Tony De Ambrosis (11.4 points and 5.5 rebounds), and Grant Kruger (6.5 points and 3.9 rebounds).

Townsville’s late-season collapse meant they finished with a frustrating 14–16 record, placing eighth and narrowly missing their first playoff appearance.

MELBOURNE TIGERS
2000/01
The Tigers would see several new faces join the squad this season after losing both Bennett Davison (to Europe) and Warrick Giddey to injury. David Smith (via North Melbourne), Stephen Hoare (via West Sydney) and Nathan Taylor (via Victoria). Guard Phil Handy was signed as a import replacement for Bennett Davison, and Melbourne began the season winning five of their first eight matches.

Around this time, Phil Handy (10.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists) joined Giddey on the injury list (missing eight games), so Jason Sedlock (3.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.7 assists) was signed as an injury replacement during Handy’s absence. At the mid-way point of the season, Melbourne received the bonus of long-serving guard Lanard Copeland gaining his Australian citizenship and qualifying as a local player. To take advantage of that, Melbourne used the additional import spot to sign former Townsville star Clarence Tyson (3.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.6 assists) for the remaining 14 games.

This season saw Daniel Egan (11.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.0 blocks) develop into a key part of the Tiger’s rotation, Copeland (20.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.0 steals) continue to score buckets as Gaze (29.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.8 assists) finished as the league’s highest scorer and Mark Bradtke (21.3 points, 14.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.1 blocks) led the league in rebounds while also being selected to the All-NBL First team.

With Melbourne entering their final ten games, they sat just outside the top six and with Lindsey Gaze trying to balance the incoming talent with the Tigers’ existing core, they went on a five-game losing streak to drop out of the playoff race. A three-game winning streak to end the season came too late, and Melbourne finished in seventh spot (13-15), missing out on the playoffs by three wins. This would be the first time Melbourne would finish with a losing record and miss the playoffs since 1988.

2000/01
The Tigers would see several new faces join the squad this season after losing both Bennett Davison (to Europe) and Warrick Giddey to injury. David Smith (via North Melbourne), Stephen Hoare (via West Sydney) and Nathan Taylor (via Victoria). Guard Phil Handy was signed as a import replacement for Bennett Davison, and Melbourne began the season winning five of their first eight matches.

Around this time, Phil Handy (10.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists) joined Giddey on the injury list (missing eight games), so Jason Sedlock (3.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.7 assists) was signed as an injury replacement during Handy’s absence. At the mid-way point of the season, Melbourne received the bonus of long-serving guard Lanard Copeland gaining his Australian citizenship and qualifying as a local player. To take advantage of that, Melbourne used the additional import spot to sign former Townsville star Clarence Tyson (3.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.6 assists) for the remaining 14 games.

This season saw Daniel Egan (11.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.0 blocks) develop into a key part of the Tiger’s rotation, Copeland (20.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.0 steals) continue to score buckets as Gaze (29.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.8 assists) finished as the league’s highest scorer and Mark Bradtke (21.3 points, 14.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.1 blocks) led the league in rebounds while also being selected to the All-NBL First team.

With Melbourne entering their final ten games, they sat just outside the top six and with Lindsey Gaze trying to balance the incoming talent with the Tigers’ existing core, they went on a five-game losing streak to drop out of the playoff race. A three-game winning streak to end the season came too late, and Melbourne finished in seventh spot (13-15), missing out on the playoffs by three wins. This would be the first time Melbourne would finish with a losing record and miss the playoffs since 1988.

Clarence Tyson played four seasons in the NBL, playing for both the Townsville Suns and the Melbourne Tigers. He averaged 20 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 89 NBL games.

CAREER RANKINGS:
– 9th in rebounds per game.

Dan Boyce (833 Posts)

Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.